Chapter Twenty-Eight
Two things quickly became clear to Miles as they wandered the Christmas Marketplace set up in the park, the plaza with the town’s tree, and along Main Street.
One, that they’d set the infamous grapevine on fire by walking around holding hands, and two, that this town was as amazing as Riley had said it was.
Jackson had said from day one he’d found something here he’d seen nowhere else, and while he’d believed his friend, he’d never expected to feel that way himself.
But now, seeing the people greeting each other, the camaraderie, the welcoming even to strangers, the spirit of the place, was something he’d never experienced before.
And Riley insisted it wasn’t just the season, or that they were here selling literally everything from nuts to boots, that this was simply what Last Stand was.
They were even accepting of him, although he suspected Riley was responsible for that.
She clearly held an exalted position in this town.
He had a sudden vision of when the day came that Maggie Rafferty wanted to hand over the tree-lighting switch, she handed it off to Riley, who would handle it with grace and aplomb.
And will you be there to cheer her on?
He realized, not in surprise but in acknowledgment of something that was starting to feel inevitable, that he not only wanted to be, but that some part of his brain was already figuring out how to make it work.
As they walked he marveled at some of the things offered here, from freshly prepared foods of all sorts, to handcrafted gifts—including a few incredibly detailed and beautiful pieces of leatherwork from Rylan Rafferty, son of the man who had unknowingly started all this—to more utilitarian things, and topped off with offerings of a wonderful hot chocolate concoction that he guessed was what she’d served Jeremy that day that seemed long ago now.
And it still made him smile that it came from the saloon, of all places.
He and Jackson had long ago sworn off worrying about exchanging gifts, deciding to focus instead on Jeremy. And he thought the beautifully carved figurine of a golden retriever that looked exactly like Maverick would be a good one for that, and Riley agreed.
He was just finishing up that purchase when it hit him that he should get her something.
He had no idea what. She’d never expressed any desire for anything people would normally think of—at least in his world—as a Christmas gift.
Not clothes, not shoes, not a trip here, there, or anywhere.
But as difficult as he’d been told ranching was these days, maybe she didn’t express the desires because they were out of the question financially anyway.
And it hit him then that maybe, just maybe that idea that had been careening around in his brain could be the best gift of all.
But he needed time to think, to focus on it, to turn it into something more than just an idea.
Fortunately he might be able to find that now, since Riley’s dad had gotten a call from their foreman that things had thankfully gotten much better and he and his two sons would be back to work on Monday.
He’d been in the room when the call had come in, and there was no doubting the man’s sincerity when he’d offered to help with anything they needed.
Like father, like daughter.
As they walked around the many booths set up, with that uncanny knack she seemed to have, Riley appeared to know what he was thinking about.
“Well, as of tomorrow you don’t have to wear yourself out playing ranch hand anymore.”
“Was I? Funny, I thought it was something else wearing me out.”
He had the pleasure of seeing her cheeks go pink, and pulled her close as she laughed, deep and throaty. And suddenly he wanted out of here, wanted to be away from the crowd, wanted to continue the night they’d had last night.
This had been the most amazing ten days of his life, and he wanted it to go on forever.
Over the next week, Riley had some things to deal with that she hadn’t had time for with the hands gone, and now he had some time not spent being a ranch hand. He’d rather have spent it all with her, but told himself not to be too pushy.
So instead he started making some calls, reaching out to learn if his idea would garner any support. The results were encouraging. Encouraging enough that he thought he could risk asking the crucial question of the crucial person.
The crucial person for a lot more than just this idea.
The crucial person in his life. And that was something he’d never expected.
He was still reeling a little at it all, and almost let it all out at the wedding rehearsal Wednesday evening.
Even on the cusp of his life changing permanently, Jackson noticed.
“What’s up with you? I’m the one who’s supposed to be nervous.”
“Why would you be nervous?” Miles countered. “You’re headed into a happy rest of your life.”
Jackson grinned. “That I am. But you’re acting like you’re a pot about to boil over, as Nic’s mom would say.”
“Just working on an idea,” he gave in and said.
Jackson lifted a brow. “In that case, have at it.”
I hope you feel the same way when you find out what it is.
Normally he would have discussed it with Jackson first, probably before anyone. And Tucker, too, since he was here. But now nothing mattered more than Riley. She had to be first, because without her, it was all pointless.
And if she agreed, it would be a great wedding present for Jackson. And they could discuss it all after he got things rolling.
On the Friday before the wedding on Saturday, Jackson and Nic dove into the final prep.
Miles loaded up the ever-eager Maverick who, after carefully washing Miles’s face, hung his head out the truck window as they drove to pick Jeremy up from school on this last day before the holiday break.
Miles thought it indicative of how well this marriage was going to work that they were staying here to be close to Jeremy rather than heading off to some exotic or trendy location for a showy Hollywood-style, month-long honeymoon.
Once he got Jeremy safely home, and convinced the worried dog he wasn’t leaving forever, he got back in the truck and headed for Riley. And found himself grinning all the way. The closer he got, the more perfect it all seemed. This would help everyone. And appease a lot of still-upset people.
He knew his mood was showing when he arrived, and Riley’s first words were: “You look pretty happy. The rehearsal went well?”
“Yes, it did,” he said. “But that’s not…I need to…” For somebody who thought they were prepared, you’re sure making a hash of this, Flint. “Can we go up to the overlook?”
She looked surprised, but said, “Sure. You want to drive, or ride.”
“Ride, please.” She was always more relaxed after a ride on King. “If I can borrow Sam.” The big but absurdly gentle horse had made him feel utterly comfortable aboard.
She smiled at him. “All the work you’ve done around here the last couple of weeks, he’s yours to ride anytime you want.”
“Thanks.”
It was a nice ride to the overlook but then, to him, it always was. And when they dismounted and walked up to the rock bench, he felt it again, not just the urge to do it right this time but to be a part of this place.
Just as they sat down Riley let out an exclamation. Her gaze was upward, and he immediately tried to track where she was looking.
“There,” she said, sounding delighted as she pointed.
It still took him a moment but then he spotted the two birds circling high above. Wings not moving at all, they’d clearly caught an updraft and were using it with innate efficiency. Big birds, hawks maybe?
And then they circled into a brilliant shaft of sunlight and he saw the distinctive coloring.
“Bald eagles?” he asked. He’d never seen them in the wild, so he wasn’t certain.
“Yes,” she said. “Our population is growing, when it’s nesting season here for them. Aren’t they amazing?”
“I…yes.” He couldn’t deny seeing the fabled birds was moving.
“I saw a courtship flight once,” Riley said, still staring at them. “It was incredible.”
“A courtship flight?” Why would she bring that up now, with him?
“They fly even higher than they are now, then they lock their talons together and just tumble down, cartwheeling all the way, until they almost hit the ground. It’s amazing.”
He could picture it, almost perfectly. Maybe because he’d been feeling a bit of that tumble himself, around her.
“Sometimes,” she went on, her voice different now, almost grim, “they do hit, and it can be really bad.”
She sounded as if it would be a personal sort of tragedy. And that tugged at that spot deep inside him that she had awakened.
They watched the big raptors, circling lazily, easily, gracefully.
“Lucky us,” he murmured. “Especially me. I’ve never seen even one in the wild before.”
“I’m guessing they don’t hang out in Hollywood much.”
His mouth twisted wryly. “Too many vultures.” She gave him a surprised glance. He shrugged. “I’m under no illusions. I just try to do things the way I think is right, and if I’m lucky, it works.”
“According to Nic, the way you think is right is being honest and straightforward.”
He blinked, smiled crookedly, undeniably pleased. “I hope so.” He hesitated before asking, “Do you believe her?”
“Nic hasn’t lied to me since she was eight.”
She left it at that, and after a moment he chuckled. “That’s a story I want someday.”
The eagles had drifted eastward now, far enough that they were mere specks in the mostly blue sky on this December day. If it wasn’t for the fact that it hadn’t broken sixty degrees today, it could have been summertime. In that way it reminded him of L.A.
But he was glad he was here. Gladder that he was here with Riley.
He’d gone over and over it in his head, thought he had it all figured out, but now with her sitting right beside him all he could think of was how much he wanted to kiss her. So he did. And it was everything he’d come to expect, hot, heart-kicking and beautiful.
“Your crew come up here much?” he asked when he could breathe again, aware the words had come out almost as a growl.
She seemed to realize where he was headed immediately.
“Not usually,” she answered, and it was in that low, husky voice that set him on fire. He kissed her again, and she responded with that fierceness that always sent them spiraling out of control.
And his last sane thought as they clawed at each other’s clothes was that this, this was the bedrock he wanted to build on.